Finke Gorge National Park

National Park in Australia, Oceania

Finke Gorge National Park

Red stones and palm trees - Finke Gorge National Park. Photo
by island
homeFinke Gorge National Park is located in the south of the Northern Territory, in the heart of the Red Center of Australia. It is located about 808 miles south of
Darwin and 87 miles west of Alice Springs. The national park
covers an area of more than 45,000 hectares of rocky desert lands and includes the stunning oasis, Palm Valley . This desert oasis is home to a wide
range of plant species. Many plants that live in the area are rare and even unique. Finke Gorge National Park is famous
for the presence of Red Cabbage Palms, an ancient species of palm tree that still survives from prehistoric times when
Central Australia was covered with lush, tropical rainforests. The total population is no more than 3,000 adult
trees. Several other trees and cycad species are endemic to the area as well. Palm Valley is a unique place and of
massive natural importance. Finke Gorge National Park protects one of Australia’s most important natural and cultural
environments and also contributes greatly to botanical conservation.

Another ancient feature of the park
is the Finke River, a river that is said to be one of the world’s oldest catchment. Some areas around the
river date back 350 million years. The landscape of Finke Gorge National Park consists of waterholes, red sandstone
cliffs, plateaus, and tall gum and palm trees.mpaara -
Finke Gorge National Park. Photo by island
home

History

Finke Gorge National Park is part of the ancient traditional
homelands of the Western Arrernte Aboriginals.
The park is home to several sacred Dreamtime sites and other places of cultural significance.

In 1966,
the Palm Valley Flora and Fauna Conservation Reserve was established, made up of lands that were formerly owned
by Finke River Mission and Henbury Station. In 1978, the Finke Gorge National Park was declared an
official national park.

Things to Do

Only accessible by 4WD in the first place, Finke Gorge National Park is the premier
4WD destination in Central Australia. Experienced four-wheel drivers will find paradise in Finke Gorge. A Finke River
4WD information brochure is available at the national park visitor center in Alice Springs. A popular route is the
Finke River 4WD Route. This fantastic route runs along a wonderful section of the Finke River and runs between
Finke Gorge National Park and Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon). The Finke
River, its waterholes, and wide banks have provided a trading and transportation route throughout the area for many
thousands of years. Now, visitors can explore it by 4WD.

Another really popular activity is hiking or
bushwalking. The national park has a dense network of excellent hiking trails. The Arakaia and Mpulungkinya
Walks are loop hikes located in Palm Valley. The former is 1.2 miles long, the
latter is 3.1 miles. Both loops wind through the oasis of tall palm trees. It is
strongly recommended to wear a hat and bring sufficient water, as most of the lengths of the walks have little shade.
Another great hike is Mpaara Walk, which starts at the Kalarranga parking lot. This trail is 3.1 miles long and provides an insight into the culture and traditions of the Western
Arrernte people. The views of the surrounding sandstone cliffs and hills are fantastic. One of the highlights of Finke
Gorge National Park is the natural amphitheater. The Kalarranga Lookout Walk is a 20-minute climb of a
sandstone stairway and offers great views of this rocky amphitheater and its spiky cliffs and sandstone towers that
surround the ancient bed of Palm Creek.

Camping is popular as well. There is a shady campground
along Palm Creek that has picnic areas, toilets, showers, and barbecues. Visitors have to pay their camping fees on site
and are advised to gather firewood before they enter the national park. This great campground is located in an area that
is home to lots of wildlife, which is particularly active in the early morning or late afternoon.

How to Get There

Finke Gorge National Park lies
approximately 87 miles west of Alice Springs. Alice Springs can be reached by car
along the remote and long Red Center Highway. The city can also be accessed by plane from major cities in
Australia. When driving from Alice Springs, turn south off Lapinta Drive, a short distance west of
Hermannsburg. The last 10 miles of this road is ponly accessible by 4WD.
This section is occasionally closed. The national park is accessible all year round, but only by 4WD and except when the
Finke River is flooded. Visitors are advised to inquire about the park’s conditions beforehand. Visitors that don’t
have a 4WD car are advised to join a tour in Alice Springs.

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